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Family Support Studies (MA, PDip)
Course Overview
The primary focus of family support is on early intervention and prevention, aiming to promote and protect the health, well-being and rights of all children, young people and their families, paying particular attention to those who are vulnerable or at risk. The aim of this programme is to further the education and skills of professionals with a common interest in family support.
The aim of this programme is to further the education and skills of professionals with a common interest in family support. It has a strong emphasis on applying a range of FS theories and concepts and in a range of practices across a wide range of roles and disciplines in the human services arena. The programme incorporates skills and knowledge on social science research and evaluation.
Established in 2003, this programme is the only one of its kind in Europe with an emphasis on applying a Family Support orientation across a wide range of practice and policy arenas.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
Who Teaches this Course

School of Political Science
& Sociology
NUI Galway
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Room 1001, ILAS
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Requirements and Assessment
Assessment of candidates is on a continuous basis, varies from module to module and involves a combination of essays, project work, and written assignments. Central to students’ assessment is their ‘on site’ placement and associated practice and their Year Two research project (minor dissertation).
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
Participants will have a third-level qualification or a recognised professional qualification in a field broadly related to family support service delivery. In addition, as the programme is not geared towards individuals coming out of undergraduate programmes, a minimum of three years’ work experience in the health and social services area is required of candidates. As there currently exists a set of practitioners working with children and families who, despite a wealth of skills, have not attained a formal, recognised undergraduate qualification, two places may be offered on the programme at the PDip (Family Support Studies) level.
Additional Requirements
Duration
2 years, part-time
Next start date
September 2023
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
25
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
Please view the offer rounds website.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90
Award
CAO
Course code
MA-FS (MA); PGD-FS (PDip)
Course Outline
This is a two-year part-time programme and students are required to attend college two days every second week over four semesters with the agreement of their employers. There are seven modules in total on the programme; three of these are core modules and are taught in both years.
Year 1 (45 Credits)
Required SP576: Child Protection and Family Support
Required SP577: Community Development and Families
Required SP572: Family Support Theory I
Required SP573: Family Support Practice I
Required SP574: Families and Children in Society and Policy I
Required SP575: Family Support Practice Seminars
Required SP530: Working with Specific Populations
Year 2 (45 Credits)
Required SP579: Family Support Theory II
Required SP580: Family Support Practice II
Required SP581: Families and Children in Society and Policy II
Required SP582: Law and Family Support
Required SP583: Health Promotion and Families
Required SP584: Thesis Research Seminars
Curriculum Information
Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Glossary of Terms
- Credits
- You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
- Module
- An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
- Optional
- A module you may choose to study.
- Required
- A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
- Semester
- Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.
Year 1 (45 Credits)
Required SP6124: Dissertation Workshops
SP6124: Dissertation Workshops
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5
This module provides the opportunity for students to engage in a series of workshops relevant to the development of their dissertations. The workshops are led by academic staff with diverse and varied research experience. The workshop topics include academic writing, critical thinking, and the development of a research proposal, along with workshops focused on specific fields of research.
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Design research study.
- Identify and critically analyse arguments.
- Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and orally.
- Prepare for and engage in workshops on these topics.
- Complete projects that are well presented, based on independent research, correctly referenced, and cogently argued.
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (70%)
- Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment (30%)
Module Director
- HELENA CONDON: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
- Caroline Owens: Research Profile
Reading List
- "Principles of biomedical ethics" by Beauchamp, Tom L. and James F. Childress
Publisher: Oxford University Press - "Qualitative research methods for the social sciences" by Bruce Berg
Publisher: Pearson - "Ethical argument" by Hugh Mercer Cutler
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP576: Child Protection and Family Support
SP576: Child Protection and Family Support
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
- FERGAL LANDY: Research Profile
- EAMONN FUREY: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP577: Community Development and Families
SP577: Community Development and Families
Semester 1 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- BRIAN MCGRATH: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BRIAN MCGRATH: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP574: Families and Children in Society and Policy I
SP574: Families and Children in Society and Policy I
Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5
(Language of instruction: English)
Learning Outcomes
- Participants understand key theoretical frameworks and concepts for thinking about families, children and young people
- Participants can effectively analyse and reflect on key issues in family life for children, young people and parents
- Participants are aware of and able to analyse key policies relevant to children, youth and families
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- JOHN CANAVAN: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP6129: Applied Family Support Seminars
SP6129: Applied Family Support Seminars
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
This module explores example of Family Support in Practice across a number of different areas. This includes individual work, group work, family work and parenting support.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will consider the transferable skills in Family Support across a number of different contexts
- Students will become familiar with the challenges associated with delivery Family Support in practice
- Students will reflect on the impact of family Support across a number of contexts
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP572: Family Support Theory I
SP572: Family Support Theory I
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- PATRICK DOLAN: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP573: Family Support Practice I
SP573: Family Support Practice I
Semester 2 | Credits: 10
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP530: Working with Specific Populations
SP530: Working with Specific Populations
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BRIAN MCGRATH: Research Profile
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Year 2 (45 Credits)
Required SP579: Family Support Theory II
SP579: Family Support Theory II
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- PATRICK DOLAN: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP580: Family Support Practice II
SP580: Family Support Practice II
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP582: Law and Family Support
SP582: Law and Family Support
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP583: Health Promotion and Families
SP583: Health Promotion and Families
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
- COLETTE DEMPSEY: Research Profile
- LHARA MULLINS: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP584: Thesis Research Seminars
SP584: Thesis Research Seminars
Semester 2 | Credits: 20
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Research (100%)
Module Director
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- BERNADINE BRADY: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Required SP581: Families and Children in Society and Policy II
SP581: Families and Children in Society and Policy II
Semester 2 | Credits: 5
Assessments
This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.
- Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile | Email
Lecturers / Tutors
- JOHN CANAVAN: Research Profile
- CARMEL DEVANEY: Research Profile
- GILLIAN BROWNE: Research Profile
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.
Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates will have the opportunity to enhance their careers in a wide range of service areas at both practitioner and manager level, working in state and voluntary services on behalf of children and families. Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the family support area, the programme is geared towards those working in social work, social care, community work, public health nursing, disability, education, justice, social welfare, early years, gerontology, and other related fields.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
Fees: Tuition
Fees: Student levy
Fees: Non EU
Find out More
Dr. Carmel Devaney
Course Director, Child and Family Research Centre,
School of Political Science and Sociology,
University of Galway.
T: +353 91 495 733
E: carmel.devaney@universityofgalway.ie
www.universityofgalway.ie/cfrc